Episode 393 - Show Notes:
You and I were not meant to be alone. In fact, we are told in Genesis that God said it is not good for man to be alone. We are created for community and togetherness. There is a vast need inside of each of us to be loved, accepted, and cared for.
What is amazing about God is that he himself has determined to meet this great need. God cares so much about our loneliness that he promises his own presence. He will be with us.
Maybe you were abandoned by family. The Bible says in Psalm 27:10 - “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close.”
Maybe you were abandoned by friends. The Bible says in Proverbs 18:24 that God is a “but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Maybe you were abandoned by fellow believers. In 2 Timothy 4:16-17 - “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength.”
In fact, God has promised that you will never be alone. Deuteronomy 31:8 - “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
While we believe and stand on these amazing verses, faith is not passive, it’s active. When you feel lonely, there are things you can do.
First, in your loneliness, decide that you will pursue God with a greater fervency. Dig deeper into his word, sing an extra worship song, listen to another faith building podcast, attend a bible study or prayer meeting, in addition to your Sunday worship experience. As we press in to God, he rewards our seeking with a greater awareness of himself.
Second, in your loneliness, decide to pursue community. It’s so easy when we are lonely to wallow in our emotions and expect others to run to our rescue. But instead, let’s refuse the pity party and reach out to someone. Send a text, make a call, initiate a coffee meeting or a lunch date. Invite a few friends to get together. If you are like most of us, it’s been to long since you have been together.
Third, in your loneliness, decide to serve others. Nothing pulls us out of our emotional distress like serving someone else who is in need. As we serve, we gain amazing perspective. We take the focus off of ourselves and put it on others. It’s here we find healing.
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